Ethanol in petrol

[matty193]

So there's a petrol station not far from my place that has relatively cheap petrol, if you could call any petrol cheap these days.

They have a 10% ethanol mixture, as well as a 94 octane 10% ethanol one. I'm not sure whether their 'premium' contains ethanol or not.

So anway, what are you thoughts on ethanol fuel? Does it screw your car or is it all good?
As far as I know, it's ok in most cars, and Holden have ackowledged it will be 'satisfactory' in commodore's from VL onwards I think.

 

[Charg'd]

i use it, no prblems at all my car runs smoother

 

[d_neo_b]

i also use it and seems to run nice as, and its cheaper!

 

[=Calais v8=]

i WANT it. dammit. dont know where to get it.

 

[Charg'd]

i WANT it. dammit. dont know where to get it.

if ur in vic the only place i see it is att united petrol stations

 

[Machine_Debaser]

if ur in vic the only place i see it is att united petrol stations

United petrol stations are the only ones in Australia that actually label their fuel as containing 10% Ethanol.
At the moment the United chain of petrol stations arnt quite as promonent as the major brands so it could be a little more difficult to source.
Its usually 3c cheaper and has a higher octane level (usually 94) than regualr unleaded.
It seems to make the car run smoother also.
The only problem being there hasnt been many (if any) long term practical tests on the use of Ethanol fuel, and its effects on the engine or fuel systems on vehicles.
Apart from this it seems to have had no adverse signs so far.
So looks as though Ethanol is the way of the not so distance future. Well for now at least.

 

[Fekason]

One point on economics of ethanol.

Ethanol has a calorific value 30% less than ULP.

Therefore, E10 (10% ethanol) has a calorific value 3% less than ULP.

Therefore, E10 will give 3% lower mileage than ULP.

E10 tends to be about 3% cheaper than ULP (ignoring supermarket vouchers).

Thus E10 is generally not cheaper, but close to the same cost per kilometre.

 

[Banno]

We had a problem with ethanol in our VT commodore a few years ago. We got a bad batch through Woolies and after time it clogged the fuel pump and filters and starved the engine... Apparently that was due to an "unusual" level of ethanol, but I wont use it since.

Really doesn't seem that much more appealing anyway cos the price fluctuates so much you might pay $1.28 for ethanol then the next day Unleaded goes down t0 $1.22...

Anyways, each to their own...

 

[Mk III the HSV]

Ethanol has a calorific value 30% less than ULP.

Therefore, E10 (10% ethanol) has a calorific value 3% less than ULP.

Therefore, E10 will give 3% lower mileage than ULP.

Tests were recently done on a News/Current Affairs show of four identical cars in a controlled environment using PULP, ULP, E5 and E10. The cars run out of petrol in the order previously listed. So I not sure that your figures are that correct. :flame: How knows, It may have been rigged to help promote Ethanol blend fuels.:w00t:

 

[kopper69]

The tests that BT1 VR refered to said that by their calculation it would cost $10 less to fill a tank and you would get about 400kms more. Interesting, needs more research tho.